Molecular structure and developmental expression of zebrafish atp2a genes

[[abstract]]We isolated two atp2a genes, atp2a1 and atp2a2a, from embryonic zebrafish. Amino acid sequences deduced from zebrafish atp2a genes are aligned with orthologue proteins from other species, the results showed that they share high percentage of identities (82%–94%) and acidic pIs (5.03–5.33). Whole mount in situ hybridization experiments showed that atp2a1 and atp2a2a are maternal inherited genes which can be detected at 1-cell stage embryos and express in the entire animal pole from 6 hours post-fertilization (hpf) to 12 hpf. At the later stages (48–96 hpf), expression of atp2a1 was restricted in head and trunk muscles as well as in some neurons. In contrast to the strongly expression of atp2a1 in head muscle, expression of atp2a2a was detected in head muscle in a fainter manner. In addition, transcripts of atp2a2a were observed in the developing heart during early cardiogenesis. The present studies not only help us to comparatively analyze atp2a genes across species, but also provide useful information about expressions during early embryogenesis that will help in further investigations of functional studies of Atp2a in the future.[[incitationindex]]SCI[[booktype]]紙

Testing the mediation effect of person–organization fit on the relationship between high performance HR practices and employee outcomes in the Egyptian public sector

Previous studies suggest that high performance HR practices (HPHRP) are positively related to employee outcomes. However, the mechanisms through which this relationship occurs require further research. This paper examines the effect of one such mechanism, person–organization (P-O) fit, on the relationship between HPHRP, job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behaviours (OCBs). Using a sample of 671 professionals in the Egyptian health and higher education sectors, a partial mediation model is outlined and tested using structural equation modelling. The study results show that HPHRP had a positive relationship with P-O fit, job satisfaction and OCBs. Further, P-O fit had a positive relationship with job satisfaction and OCBs, and partially mediated the relationship between HPHRP, job satisfaction and OCBs. Thus, the adoption of HPHRP not only leads to desirable employee outcomes, but it is also associated with better fit between employees and organizations. As such, managers should endeavour to use HPHRP to facilitate greater congruence between employees and organizations in order to achieve improved employee attitudes and behaviours

Design for business innovation: Linking the value chains of logistics service and cargo insurance companies by designing a collaborative service infrastructure

Both, the logistics and insurance companies rely on software intensive systems and IT-infrastructure to run their core business operational. In recent years IT-improvements have resulted e.g. in better tracking and tracing capabilities for the whole logistics industry. Designing an interface in this case between the logistics and insurance value chain further enhances visibility and transparency on transportation. Though, the design of a large collaborative service infrastructure is a complex task. In this paper, we investigate whether design science supports this. The research follows design science guidelines creating a message hub based on sensor telematics technologies, which physically links the two value chains. The described IT-artefact enables logistics and insurance companies to improve their respective products and solutions with e.g. integrated risk management or active process control. This demonstrates how design science projects eventually facilitate real business innovation within networked enterprises

A complex network approach to understand commercial vehicle movement

We introduce complex network analysis and use a commercial vehicle’s observed trip as a proxy for a business relation between two facilities in its activity chain. We extract facility locations by applying density-based clustering to GPS data of commercial vehicle activities. The network among the facilities is then extracted by analysing the activity chains of more than 25 000 commercial vehicles. Centrality metrics proves useful and novel in identifying and locating key logistics players. Transport planners and decision makers can benefit from such an approach as it allows them to design more targeted initiatives and policy interventions.The first author is grateful to the South African National Research Foundation (NRF) for funding the research under Grant FA-2007051100019; and also to the University of Pretoria’s Research Development Programme.http://www.springerlink.com/content/103007